It is rare for Chinese state leaders to especially publicize Confucianism. And that's because of controversy surrounding the cultural icon among intellectuals, and the people's conflicting mentality toward Confucius and his thoughts, which were criticized during the "cultural revolution" (1966-76).

President Xi Jinping unexpectedly attended an academic seminar in memory of the 2,565th anniversary of Confucius in Beijing last month, and delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. He called for Chinese nationals to improve themselves by studying the essence of Confucianism, and suggested the international community learn mutual respect and harmonious coexistence from Confucius's thoughts.

The publicity chief Liu Qibao also proposed afterward the advancement of the "village gentleman" culture and cultivation of grassroots role models to raise social morals.

But today none exist any longer in the real sense. Commercialism and consumerism collide with traditional values from the old way of life, family laws, kinship and traditional culture.

As the Chinese saying goes, "Only after the people have enough to eat can they act in good manners", an effective way to revive Confucianism in grassroots communities and develop role models is not to send instructors to preach, but to improve farmers' livelihoods, tackle corruption among village heads, implement the rule of law and eradicate unfair and discriminating institutions that divide China into rural and urban.

Confucianism actually exists in the genes of the Qufu villagers as life's guidelines. What local authority needs to do is to awaken the genes by letting the villagers feel that the social and cultural soil for the good side of Confucianism still exists.

Contact the writer at liyang@chinadaily.com.cn

By Li Yang(China Daily USA)